Nursing home workers fired over inappropriate photo

Aug. 3, 2013
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by The Des Moines Register, USA TODAY

by The Des Moines Register, USA TODAY

DES MOINES, Iowa -- An Iowa nursing home fired two employees for posting at least one inappropriate photo of a resident on the Internet through social media, according to a statement released by Mercy Medical Center.

The Bishop Drumm Retirement Center - a subsidiary of Mercy, a Des Moines hospital - reported to the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals and to Johnston, Iowa, police an incident involving employees taking inappropriate photos of a nursing home resident, the statement said.

Two employees were fired, said Matt Meyer, a Mercy spokesman. He said he did not know when their employment was terminated or how many photos were posted. The nature of the photos also was not released by the hospital organization.

"Publishing such photos of a resident, allegedly taken by rogue employees, not only violates Mercy and Bishop Drumm's core values - it also violates the human dignity of the resident," Brian Farrell, president of Bishop Drumm, said in the statement. "All employees are educated about Protected Health Information which includes photos. In addition they learn about elder abuse and how to prevent it. Such behavior cannot and will not be tolerated."

Bishop Drumm emphasized to its employees the importance of residents' rights and stressed Mercy's core values and "the personal dignity of residents," the statement said.

Meyer said the family of the resident in the photo or photos has been notified.